Yellowstone Park Hotel

For a little tourist town, West Yellowstone can be surprisingly busy. The Yellowstone Park Hotel is less hectic than other nearby hotels, and the atmosphere is quieter and more intimate. The three-story basic brown building has cream-colored trim and is accented with stone at the covered entrance. Wrought iron tables and chairs sit in front of the entrance, and the parking lot surrounds the building. The set up is nothing special, but once inside, the lodge-inspired lobby is cozy and welcoming, with a fireplace, flat-screen TV, leather chairs, and Western details in the decorative pillows, artwork, and lamps. Seating groups encourage guests to linger, and one wall of windows looks out to the indoor pool. The breakfast room is a bit dated and can get crowded in the morning, but otherwise the hotel is a fine place to rest for the many tourist families and couples that pass through its doors.

This hotel sits in the middle of West Yellowstone, three blocks from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful Geyser, inside the park, can be reached in less than an hour by car. Other hotels and small businesses surround the hotel, and there are plenty of dining options are within walking distance. Popular local options include The Book Peddler, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and Running Bear Pancake House, also 10 minutes away on foot. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a five-minute walk from the hotel, as is the IMAX Theater. The closest major airport is Salt Lake City International, which is four hours and 45 minutes away. The Jackson Hole Airport is about two hours and 45 minutes away. 

The rooms lack the overall cozy factor created by the lobby's lodge-like decor, and are a bit unremarkable. The style across all categories is basic and traditional, with dark wood furnishings, burgundy carpeting, a tan accent wall, and tan bed runner on white-linened beds. Vintage photographs on the walls add a little personality, depicting classically Western scenes and landscapes. A stuffed wolf sits on the bed and is available for purchase. Reusable water bottles are provided with a note encouraging guests to refill them at stations throughout the park. Amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, MP3 alarm clock radios, robes, and hairdryers. Some rooms have sofas, fireplaces, and hot tubs. Bathrooms are fine, but a bit dated, with tiled shower/tub combos, toiletries, and ample granite counter space. Guests may hear noise from inside and outside the hotel depending on the location of their room. 

The hotel has a fairly typical selection of features for a mid-range, tourist-town property. A free continental breakfast offers items such as waffles, cereals, breads, fruits, milk, juice, and coffee. The rectangular indoor pool is surrounded by windows for plenty of natural light, and it's heated and suitable for swimming short laps. A hot tub is adjacent, and towels are provided. Outdoor activities in the area include hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. An on-site convenience store sells beer, wine, and basic food items. There's a business desk with an Apple computer and printer for guests to use, and there are on-site coin-operated laundry facilities. The hotel is seasonal, open April to October, which is common in the Yellowstone area. Wi-Fi and parking are both free.